Khanzad Castle

Khanzad castle stands on high ground beside the road from Erbil up to Shaqlawa, a compact stone building of the early seventeenth century with round corner towers, arched galleries and an inner courtyard, associated with Khanzad Sultan, a princess of the Soran emirate remembered in Kurdish tradition as a ruler in her own right who commanded troops and built fortifications. How much of the legend is historical is unclear, but the castle carries her name and is one of the better-preserved buildings of the emirate period in the region. It has been partly restored. The visit is short, and the position gives views over the plain toward Erbil in one direction and the mountains in the other.

What you actually see

• Round corner towers - the stone castle's defensive corners.
• Arched galleries - the vaulted ranges around the inner court.
• The hilltop position - views to the plain and the mountains.
• Restoration work - consolidated masonry from recent campaigns.

When to go

March to May for green surroundings and wildflowers, September to November for clear weather. The site is small and takes an hour, usually on the way to or from Shaqlawa.

Honest expectations

The castle is small and largely empty inside, with no displays. Restoration has replaced a good deal of the masonry. Interpretation is minimal and mostly in Kurdish and Arabic. The story of Khanzad is tradition rather than documented history.

Nearby

Shaqlawa lies northeast; Erbil is southwest.